October 13, 2008 - Msg 66948: Hi All.
Just in joying the nice days we are having.

TOM

October 13, 2008 - Msg 66949: Hi Tom,looks like you swept!It looks really good-ky girl
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66950: Hello porch family.

Nice sweeping job Tom. Glad you are enjoying those nice days.

Prayers for Erin that her ear would stop hurting. That is so painful.

Well after tonight, I may be off the porch for a little while because of my upcoming road trip. I'll try to check in tomorrow just before I leave out.
You all sleep good and know that you are prayed for everyday! God is good...all the time....and HE love you!
-REV.
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66951: Hello, porchsters.
Hope everyone had a good day.It was a long night tonight. Had a rush order that had to go by 7:00 p.m. Good to see you on the porch, Tom. Hope you are doing okay.
Rev, I hope your concerts will be blessings to all who attend. I will be praying for you.
Hi, Spot, hope you are enjoying your days off.
Congrats on getting your certification, hm.
Gotta get ready for bed; talk to you all tomorrow. Boo, I will be praying for Erin.
Blessings and prayers for all-
CD
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66952: Morning Family:
Just woke up for work and decided I'd check the porch.
Would you all pray for my daughter in college? This time it's financial...with the economy so unstable her student funding has been cut. She now needs $1700 a month for her tuition! I know that the LORD is in control, we need to rely on Him for the money. He owns it all anyway! Thanks for praying, it's scarey for a student to try to work out, sure is making us grow in the faith department.
Well, better get going...Thanks again...~New Neighbor
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66953: Mornin' Y'all! Prayers for Erin and your daughter,New Neighbor. Boo,finish what you were saying to me (about photo album) when you get a chance,ok? Get Erin taken care of-those earaches are terrible!
Tom, I checked out your new pictures.Boy,you sure are surrounded by some cute kids! Your new niece is so sweet!

Maude,you have such nice looking,clean cut,all American kids! They are both just scrubbed in sunshine!No wonder you're proud of them.

Well,I'm off to the cardiologist.Just my yearly checkup.Gosh,I hope they don't put me on the treadmill! I haven't been walking like I should,due to tendonitis in my foot. I know- soak it! I'll check in later on,if I have any energy left after the treadmill!
Safe travels,Rev.
Y'all take care-love to all.
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66954: Morning folks,

Looks like we need a breakfast menu: pancakes with maple syrup, sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit (gotta keep it healthy). coffee, juice, tea.

Thanks Possum, I have been blessed with my kids!

well, better get to work, can't get paid unless I see some folks today.

You all have a blessed day. Behave and "act like somebody".

Big Maude
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66955: Good morning everyone. Hope that your day is blessed.

Prayers for Erin, NEW NEIGHBOR's daughter, and anyone else that needs them this morning (that's all of us).

HAZEL: Better watch it; your face could freeze like that.

ROMEENA: So, did you enjoy the book?

I'll have to check out the new pics in the album at lunch. By the way, ROMEENA, feel free to restore what you've been saving if'n you get my drift.

NEW NEIGHBOR: The family will be up in your neck of the woods (sorta) this weekend. We're going to Lancaster witgh my parents, brother's family, and aunts.

BOO: Call me a purist, but I don't like materials that aren't wood to simulate wood. I hate those "plastic" fences that are so popular now. I think concrete stamped to look like brick, especially, can look very authentic. The stone can, too, but it really depends on teh skill of who is doing it. Most do it very monochromatically, and natural stone is never one consistent color. So, it ends up looking fake. I have seen it done really well, though, and you'd never tell until your up on it and staring down.

Have you considers having natural flagstone laid on top of the concrete? It looks very "farmhouse" and is relatively inexpensive as stone goes. In fact, by the time you pay for the concrete stamping and dye, I wouldn't be suprised if the flagstone wasn't cheaper. My porch is flagstone and I love it.

Well, I'll check out the albuma nd stop back at lunch.

Me-They
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66956: Hi All.
Possum you not alow about the treadmill, I do not like it .
Rve how fare are you from all the ildfrie there?
PRAY FOR EVERYONE WHO CAN USED THIM TODAY.

TOM :)
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66957: I just visted the album. Nice family, TOM. You, too, MAUDE.

TOM, I have to agree about the treadmill. I keep running, but never get anywhere.

M-T
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66958: Thanks for the prayers for Erin. I put some otocaine drops in her ear and gave her some Advil and that did the trick until about 5am, when I had to repeat it. I kept her home in the morning to make sure I didn't need to take her to the doc but she seems fine today.

Call me a purist, too, Me-They. What I wanted was a wood floor on the porch so I told Bruce yesterday to just forget the stamped concrete and lay wood on top and paint it...simple and believe it or not, he agreed. Thanks for your opinion..I'm right there with ya on that one. Flagstone is something we were considering and would be a very good option.

Wow, that is really tough, NN. Prayers for your daughter and the financial situation...just isn't fair when she is trying hard to get an education and so many government funds are going to illegals and people who don't want to work.

Oh yes, Possum, I about to say that I was looking at the pictures of Laci in the album and I must have really been smiling because Erin came up to see what I was looking at and you should have heard all the "AWWW'SS...she's the cutest thing!". Good luck on the treadmill..

I had little Emily today so i am tired already. She is so precious, though, I could raise her as my own...little sweetie.

Well, I should get moving again...plenty to do today.

Boo


October 14, 2008 - Msg 66959: Hey gang cant stay .late for my bike ride...will read in a bit....Boo will you and Rev whup up some supper?...SPOT
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66960:
Well, I'M BACK (to reality!)
I did some skimming of the archives.
Spot, I caught my limit two days in a row! No old Sam tho.
Stream rainbow trout is great pan-fried, no microwave MT! ha, but i gave most away, to the fishermen not so lucky. Gave some to that bad boy Bailey who drives around with celery in his backseat! ha The scenery of God's tall ponderosa pines was wonderful. I'll send Ro some snaps!
M-T-- I read that Siler City article, so I'll start a moulage right off the bat! I smiled at the part that said "they took the chicken cutting jobs that no one else wanted." At the building where I work there is a day porter who dry mops, changes lightbulbs etc. In the 18 months that i have been here, three latinos held the job, but then an english speaking guy started and has been here for some time. He told me that he was willing to do ANY kind of work, but due to so many illegal workers here in our area, he had a hard time getting work. But now, with the economy as it is and tough new state laws, many are leaving.
Plus i thought it was funny that this npr article said "they added soccer due to the latino population." Excuse me, soccer moms have been around for decades! It's been around the US since the 70's. I wish an article could be written without all the left-spin added to it!
OK, I guess 5 days with basically no news got me back in with a plunge, sorry, sliding soapbox back under porch.
NN- prayers for your daughter. is a junior college a possibility for a year or so?
Good sweeping job TOM.
Yes indeed, prayers for all!
Prayers for the upcoming election.
Boo- sounds like house plans are finally in full swing!
God bless, good to be back!
MDC

October 14, 2008 - Msg 66961:
Rev- Godspeed in this latest concert trip!
mdc
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66962: Glad I could ablige, MDC ;). I agree with what you said about people willing to take jobs. I don't think that Americans (and by Americans, I mean citizens of the U.S.--but that's a misnomer for another day) shun any sort of jobs. However, I do think in some areas of our economy--mostly on the menial side--there aren't enough U.S. workers to fill all the jobs. Sharecropping, for instance. There are plenty of Americans who will do it, but not enough to get the job done. When unemployment was at 5% a few years ago and illegals were poring over border and getting jobs, they weren't exactly taking jobs from citizens. The reality is we have more jobs than people. The sad facts is, most of those jobs are difficult, dirty, and ot-exactly-high-paying jobs. But you are right, as the economy shrinks so will the tide of illegals.

I played soccer in the 1970s so I hear you there, too. Not trying to apologize for the story, but maybe they meant the demand for soccer went way up.

M-T
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66963:
MDC- You're right about the leftward slant. I can't imagine anyone feels the need to respond to David Duke, pro or con, as the coach stated. Let Duke spew his ignorant thoughts, sunlight is a very good disinfectant. As for the immigrants, if they're legal, all I've got to say is, welcome! Denis Miller has a good take on immigration, come on in, just sign the guestbook first.

Me-They Thanks for listing the article. However, what if I need my computer worked and someone notices NPR stuff. he he

auh2o
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66964: hi all,just stopping by to ask you all to keep me in your prayers,going through a tough ti,me right now,don't want to elaborate here,just please keep me in your prayers.Thanks-ky girl
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66965:
You got em KY girl. That's one thing that I have a lot of practice at!! (:
MDC

October 14, 2008 - Msg 66966:
Well folks I'm heading out. You all take care and I'll check in when ever I can get service. Prayers for all my porch family.

Tom....not really sure where all the wildfires are at but don't think I'll be near them.

Until I get back....remember, Jesus loves you!
-REV.
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66967:
Someone told me recently that when Mayor Stoner took over for Mayor Pike, it was actually because the actor who played mayor Pike had passed away.
Anyone else know if that is so?
MT- when it was at 4 or 5% we still had a lot on the welfare rolls who could probably have worked! ha. I agree about Duke also Auh20, his ilk just cause harm!
I watched tags dvd when we got home last night. Mr Wheeler was the one i saw. Ya think he would have offered that lemonade to poor ole hot Andy! haha. But my mind keeps drifting back to the pine forest!
MDC

October 14, 2008 - Msg 66968: Evening Y'all! Well,I went to the cardiologist to have my foot checked out!Ha! Everything is okay with my heart,but he asked if I was still doing my walking & I said no & told him about my foot & that I thought it was plantar fasciitis,but it doesn't hurt in the heel where most complaints stem from-there's a knot,swelling,whatever, right on the plantar tendon of my left foot.He actually wanted to look at it and referred me to a specialist because he says it may be that or it may be a growth.I go in a few weeks.Sure hope it's nothing serious.I went to school with a guy that got some strange form of cancer in his foot/ankle and ended up dying,so that plays into my thoughts a bit.I will try to think totally positive until I find out.
Hey Tom- I didn't have to get on the treadmill! Hooray!

Glad you're home,MDC-we missed ya!

Hope that Erin shook off whatever was going on with her ear and is feeling better,Boo.And thanks for the nice remarks about Laci! I'll work on getting some updated pictures-the last one I had put in the album is from Christmas,I think! She's gotten a lot taller since then.
I got a great deal at Target today- 1st season of Leave It To Beaver for $19.99! It's a lot higher online,plus you pay shipping costs. They also had the 2nd season-maybe I'll get it at Christmas. Anybody wanna come over to my rock and watch Wally & the Beav tonight? I'll make popcorn-come on over!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock

P.S. Prayers for ky girl.Hope things look up,friend.
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66969: Hey MDC. I'm pretty sre that is correct about the mayors. Dick Elliot who played Mayor Pike passed away during the run of the 2nd season I believe.
Same thing with Cheerio Meridith who played Emma Watson. It's to bad because I loved both of them and their characters where great.
Prayers for you ky girl, and for N.N.'s Meredith. Hope all works out for you both.

Asa
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66970:
Thanks for the info Asa.
Possum, so do you go to the podiatrist for your heart? ha
I'll check that out on LITB at my Target here. good price.
When we were in the woods, i snagged a pheasant! ha
Later,
MDC

October 14, 2008 - Msg 66971: Good evening, all. REV, you be careful now, you hear? I'm really looking forward to your concert on Thursday. Got lots of friends for you to meet.

Me-They, message received, and will do. Just not sure when - maybe tomorrow. Yes, I enjoyed the book, but found it to be pretty deep, and slow going in places. Still, a good read.

Boo, I think the planks on top of the concrete is a great idea. Should be easy, relatively inexpensive, and easily replaced if needed, years down the road. Actually, I like the flagstone idea a lot, too. I love flagstone, have used a lot of it out back - pathway, patio, critter island, whatever. Advantage there is it doesn't require painting.

Very long night at work last night, then dental appointment, trip to grocery store and home for a much-needed nap. Now I'm bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and probably won't be able to sleep tonight. Oh well. Such is the life of a night worker.

Prayers for our ailing kiddos, struggling students and wandering minstrels. I love you folks - now I'm going to go rustle up some grub. Be blessed! --Romeena
October 14, 2008 - Msg 66972: Possum, the doc could be feeling a heel spur, which is common with plantar faciitis. If he's a cardiologist, he may not know his butt from a bone spur (hehe...sorry, couldn't resist). I wouldn't be too concerned about it, Possum (I know that is easy for me to say). Did he feel the "growth" near your heel?

Prayers for you KYGirl..email me if you want. I still have the same email address or can send it to you if your's hasn't changed.

Welcome back to reality, MDC (bless your heart). I'll bet it was hard to leave the pines.

Well, Erin came home from school with a fever and was crying with her ear so I took her to a new, local family practice doc...they got her in quickly and diagnosed an ear infection, but when I took the Amxil prescription to the pharmacy they said there was a mistake in the dosage and they asked me how much Erin weighed. I don't like the sound of that. They tried calling the doctors office to clarriy but they got an answering machine (it was 5:30). I tried calling to speak to an the answering service to get the doc to call back and they didn't have an answering service. Crazy! Anyway, I can't get the antibiotics until in the morning. Luckily, the Advil helps and she seems to be feeling ok right now. I am sure she will be up in the middle of the night again for more Advil, though. Needless to say, we won't be going back to the new doctor.

Thanks Ro, it will probably be the wood planks..we'll see. We met with Mike the builder (not to be confused with Bob the Builder..you parents of young kids know what I mean) tonight and I met his wife (very nice couple) and they had the sweetest dog, too. Anyway, we now have the figures in hand to go to the bank and do what we need to do for the loan. Mike said we should be able to start within 3 weeks. We will see.

Better get Erin out of the shower and get her ready for bed.

By the way, we sure love you, too Romeena. Hope you have a peaceful evening.

Boo


October 14, 2008 - Msg 66973: I mean "Amoxil"..hehe

Boo
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66974: Good Morning Family:
Just running by to say Hi- before I get my day started. Oh that's right, it lready started with 2 loads of laundry!( about 4 more to go) How about it Boo? don't dirty clothes breed & multiply on the laundryroom floor? I'm convinced of that.
We took the stray dog to the Vet. No chip on his shoulder...One on mine though- they think someone dropped him! This is a beautiful mix between bird dog and coon dog. He's just so BIG!! I think we'll keep him. The Dog Warden said that with no tags, if the owner was worried they would be looking for him, so far no one is even asking. We placed an ad in the paper. One more mouth to feed. ;(
Gotta go. Breakfast is ready. ~New Neighbor
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66975: Good Morning Porch Family! Just a short note to let you fine folks know, I am back in the hills of TN safe & sound. I had a wonderful trip to Orlando & my puppy did great (ribbon wise) at the shows. He came home with 3 1st place ribbons & a heart test that showed he is more than fine as a fiddle! I was so proud of him. Only thing I didn't care for, I think he spent most of his waking hours trying to figure out how to make me look like a clown in the ring in front of the judge & all the spectators. He acted as if he had never been on a leash before, jumped around like a big nut & rolled over on his back so the judge could rub his belly. Rotten little boy.
I will give ya'll the whole run down later on, I have to read the archives & I have to groom 2 dogs today. So later this evening, I'll be back rocking on my porch. Hope someone makes a good supper tonight, I'm too tired to cook.
Later taters
*Mavis
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66976: Well morning porchters.
Sounds like a fine animal N.N. That's good of you to take him in. Your a kinf soul.

Possum, sure sounds like planter faciitis to me. But I'm a bank guard. You might wanna ask hm. She's a teacher. But I am curious, what does your Proctologist check on you? (hee hee hee)

Hope Erin gets feeling better soon Boo. Poor dear.
As far as planking on your porch, I'm wondering about how your gonna deal with expansion and contraction and moisture and all that jazz. I would think that might be an issue for you, but maybe not. I bet you are excited to be moving on the project at last. Heck, I'm excited for you. You must be delerious.

Be safe in your travels Rev. Thanks goodness gas has come down a little.

Well best get going to work. They say temps here are gonna be in the 70's by the weekend. My foot of snow is about half gone already. This has been a weird week for weather for us. Heck, I may be mowing again by Saturday.

Asa
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66977: Hey Mavis. You snuck in on me. Congrats on the ribbons. Sounds like you had a good time.

Asa
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66978: Mornin' Y'all! Boo,hope you get the meds straightened out,get them in Erin,& she feels better soon.

Welcome back to Mayberry, Mavis-we missed ya!

No,I don't think it's a heel spur because it's not in my heel & heel doesn't hurt. It's right on the tendon,in the arch or instep. I have weird feet- not going into details (so as not to gross Me-They out!),but they turn in a little, one leg is a bit longer than the other and I think after almost 50 years of making adjustments to my walking,I have some kind of damage. That's my gut feeling.Will try not to panic & worry-thanks.

I've got to go get Laci.Daughter called earlier & said she has a stomach virus and has been up all night. Guess Laci can hang out with me so her mama can get some sleep.

I knew y'all would make some wisecracks about my cardiologist checking my foot! MDC,I'll make sure the podiatrist listens to my heart when I see him on the 3rd! LOL at Asa's proctologist wisecrack!

Well,I'd better get going. Y'all have a good day!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66979: Welcome home, Mave! Was it Feather who won the ribbons?

Haha, thanks for making me laugh out loud, ASA...the proctologist thing was great. Erin is doing better, thanks, but I still need to get her Amoxil. Glad you're excited for us about the house...I'm not exactly delirious...probably something about waiting this long. I'm sure once the framing starts, I will be more excited. To tell you the truth Asa, I really have been lacking in emotions for awhile now. I think it has something to do with losing Karen in 2007. One of the reasons I wanted to build the house was to share it with her. I am trying to feel happy about it, but the emotions just aren't really there yet...guess it will take a little time. Karen was more excited about my house than I was and she was the one who kept me motivated by her enthusiasm. We would dream together about spending weekends together, she and the kids, and she knew she would have a guestroom waiting for her whenever she wanted to come out. It just won't be the same without her, but I need to focus on the loved ones I still have here that will share it with me. Yesterday I sent an eamil to St. Susan (my sister, for you newer porch members), and was telling her about our progress on the house and that she can start "packing her overnight bag" because I would have a room for her to come and stay overnight by summer (Of course she only lives 10 miles from me, but we talk about it anyway). Her reply to me was that she couldn't wait to sit on my porch swing and look at some baby goats in the yard, but she guesses she will have learn to share a bed with my mother-in-law, haha. Nope, we'll make MIL sleep with Erin.

Well, New Neighbor, sounds like you got yourself a dog...maybe you could call him "BIGGIE", hehe. You certainly have a big heart, to give him a home.

Better finish the coffee and start the chores...

Busy day today. One of my good friends, Candy, is having a c-section at noon. She has 2 boys and is having a girl today...the first girl to be born on either side of the family in 25 years (needless to say, she will be very well-dressed)!

Boo
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66980: Good morning everyone. It’s another warm (75) day here. We’ll enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t last.

BOO: If you do decide to do the planks over the concrete porch, just make sure that there is an air space between the two. Masonry does accept and can hold moisture, and will eventually rot out the underside of the decking, even if it’s treated lumber. Not sure if you get much rainfall, but I imagine moisture still is a concern in your area with the humidity and such. Around here, doing lumber directly on top of masonry is not an acceptable building practice because of the moisture issue, and there are some contractors who would do it anyway. But I’m sure Bruce will double check your contractor and has thought of stuff like this.

POSSUM: Sorry about your feet. Have a good day with Laci.

KY GIRL: Prayers for you today.

AUH2O: I have to admit, while most of the shows on NPR like “Fresh Air” and “The Diane Rehm Show” are very liberal and frequently rub me the wrong way, I do enjoy their news programs. I like how they spend 5 minutes on a news story and not 30 seconds like the commercial media. I listen to it every morning and afternoon on my commute. That said, there are instances where I sense a slant to the left, but for most news items—especially the “human interest” pieces and non-political stuff—it’s not an issue, and my radar is always up. “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” are my favorites. Michelle Norris and Melissa Block, especially, have two of the best radio voices and reporting styles I have ever heard. One “reporter” who is very obviously liberal is Peter Overby, and I can’t stand, at all, hearing anything Daniel Schorr has to say. That’s one guy that needs to be put out to pasture.

MDC: My economics professor used to say that for all intents and purposes 5% unemployment was full employment since there are at least 5% of population who are too lazy to get a job and don’t want one.

ROMEENA: Thanks.

I’ll be back at lunch. APB for AFD, CHARLOTTE, OPIEMOM, POOR HORATIO, GOOBER, IDELLE, MERRIWEATHER, DIXIE, et al.

Me-They
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66981: Good morning, all. "5% employment is full employment, etc." I love that! So true! There are some people who treat the offer of a job like a subpoena - you couldn't give it to them if you tried. And we have no one to blame but ourselves. When someone is a third or fourth-generation welfare case, the notion of suddenly having to work for the same money makes no sense to them at all. Also, if they've got enough kids, they probably could never get a job that would pay them as much as the government (us) is handing them. The whole thing is senseless. Please don't misunderstand me - I'm fully in favor of assistance to the elderly, the ill, the disabled, anyone who truly cannot fend for themselves. That's what God told us to do, and we should do it. However, the Bible also says "if a man will not work, he shall not eat." Notice it says "WILL not work", it doesn't say CANNOT work. It's talking about a person who makes the decision to sit and be served, rather than getting out and working for his own food. Big difference.

Well, guess I'd better get moving. I'm meeting Eloise for lunch, then have an appt with my pacemaker doc at 2 - just a routine check. Hope he doesn't want to look at my feet, I need a pedicure. (heehee)

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66982: I agree, ROMEENA. If you're getting "X" amount on welfare and barely making it, what would inspire you to get a job and make even less? (I'm talking about people who actually deserve financial help here, not freeloaders.) I've heard it proposed that instead of being completely cut off once you get a job, the system could pay the difference between what the job is paying and the previous benefits. That way, the person is actually earning a living and back in the workforce, and teh system is only paying a small portion of what it would be paying if the person was out of work. Seems to make sense to me, which is probably why the Congress won't do it.

If you put those toes in some shoes, the doctor won't see 'em!

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66983: Hey gang..prayers ky,Rev take care...just a quick lunch then its brush burning day for me..ham and cheese sandwiches and chips..kool-aid..will read tonight .....prayers...hey Ro,Boo,Tom,possum and all...CD dont work to hard...SPOT
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66984:
Just a quick Hey! for now.

Me-They My economics professor said the same thing, 5% unemployment = full employment. I was just do a little ribbing with ya, I do listen to NPR on the computer. I even have their site book marked. As long as I'm confessing, I have the BBC site book marked also. I'm not turning Chris Buckley on ya but one has gotta keep their enemies close, know what I mean Vern. Just 'Cause You're Paranoid Doesn't Mean That They're Not Out To Get You. Who said that? Let me guess.

auh2o

October 15, 2008 - Msg 66985: Don't drink the Kool-Aid!

These pretzels are making me thirsty!

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66986: Oh, hey there, AUH2O. I believe it was Calvin Coolidge.

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66987: Also, I'm not sure, but I think we've been allies with the English, except for that undfortunate fire in Washington back in '12.

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66988: Good afternoon, porchsters, hope you are having a great day; it's 82 degrees here in NC, the weather forecasters say we may break a record. Spot, hope I can share lunch with you today, it sounds good. But instead of Kool-Aid, could I have tea?
Gotta run, time to go to work. Prayers and blessings to all.
CD
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66989: What I don't understand is this (and many and varied other things, to be sure): How can these folks on welfare for generations go to college or trade school in order to get a decent job, when it is so darned expensive? It's easy to say, "Get a job and get off welfare", but practically speaking, if you have all of these adults, raised in the system and using the system, what are the odds that they can simply get educated and get a job that will feed their families? I know it has to start/stop somewhere if there is any hope of ever changing this thing, but I just don't see how change can come about with a considerable amount of human suffering. Am I wrong?

Boo
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66990: that is supposed to read, "WITHOUT a considerable amount of suffering..."

Boo
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66991: I know what you mean, BOO. You are right in that we have to build up some sort of alternative to welfare. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there on welfare who grew up on welfare and have never really thought about the "rights and wrongs" of it--it's all they know. Their parents did them no favors, that's for sure. While I'm a big fan of adult "victims" s*cking it up and getting over it already, there are other things to consider.

Unfortunately, it's the little children who usually suffer. And, in my opinion, that's just not an option. I'd rather throw money at lazy, good-for-nothing parents and see their kids have the basic necessities than turn off the welfare faucet and see them suffer because their parents were bilking the system. I'm just not cool with having kids suffer for the sins of their parents. I don't say this to be flip, but it's only money, and wouldn't be able to stomach kids being hurt because I want what's mine, even if it is their parents who caused the problem in the first place.

So, we either need to get serious about finding help for these people through education and training or keep cutting them checks. Neither is free or easy.

Me-They
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66992: Just to clarify, I believe that the primary responsibility for children lies with the parents. However, if those parents are unable or unwilling (either through apathy or stupidity) to take responsibility, it's up to us. (AUH2O: Guess that's where Hillary's "takes a village" thing kicks in.) Many welfare parents haven't met their responsibility, so we either have to get them to do so (education and training) or pay the bill set before us (welfare).

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66993:
Wrong show Me-They-- You want sienfeld.com haa!!
mdc
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66994: Oh M-T, that is such a huge can of worms. I didn't realize just how big until was a volunteer for CASA (court-appointed special advocates for children)...don't know if you are familiar, but I got a look at parents within the system and their lifestyles. Also, I have seen the unimaginable at the drug rehab. While I know that the majority of the population cares for their kids, there are so very many who do not. The conditions these poor kids are living with is deplorable. Just this week, one of the new girls was telling me about her drug addict mom who spends her government income on Meth. Ever think about that? Our tax dollars are funding many a drug habit, not to mention the food stamps (which her mom also sells for Meth because Meth addicts don't eat much). This girl got high for the first time with her mom (another common story we hear). Believe me, when you say it's the kids that suffer, I see it first hand every week, and what chance do these kids have? Go back to the drug addict mom when you turn 18, end up on the system doing the same thing as mom and having babies. We have a new girl right now who is 16, articulate, beautiful, a drug addict and 3 months pregnant. Mom has several kids, all from different fathers and the girls doesn't know who fathered her baby because she was drunk at the time that she "hooked up" (her words, not mine). Our country (our world) has bigger problems than we realize.

Boo
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66995: These pretzels...are making me thirty!!!

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66996: oops, that's "thirsty."

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66997:
Boo- i was thinking that maybe you could put up a nice picture of Karen in the guest room, and maybe a personal affect of hers. It's just a thought that I saw done on extreme home makeover one time.
POOR Horatio- If you are looking in, I hope you had a nice Canadian Thanksgiving Day this past Monday.
APB for Hazel. Hope all this welfare talk aint keepin' you away. ha
Lunch is over, so back to work for me.
MDC
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66998: I wish they made me thirty.

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 66999: That's a very thoughtful idea, MDC.

HAZEL: If you'd rather, I have a few "Down with the Gold Standard" signs I got from Regis that I can haul out.

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67000:
Boo- I missed your post about drug rehab. My oh my, Mayberry it is not, that is for sure. Meth is about the worst drug that has ever come along. My prayers go out for them all. You are such a blessing to be bringing this faith-based counseling to them, hope and some help, even to the point of several being baptized! God bless you Boo. I pray you have the strength to keep it up!
MDC
Frank Myers: I'd like to cash my bond.
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67001:
Mayor Pike: three-hundred thousand? Why, that's more than a quarter million dollars!
M-T-- I know this isnt for everybody, but I keep what was my mom's favorite flannel top in the closet, so each time I see it, I think of her, and not in a sorrowful way, but more as a "Hi mom, hope all is well in heaven today." it is just something that works for me.
Well, NOW it's back to work.
MDC
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67002:
M-T If those parents are too apathetic or stupid, using your terms, than they should lose their standing as parents. Hillary's "village" has been part of the problem not the solution village just sounds better than socialist. The left has had only three thoughts the last seventy years, abortion, socialism, and race. It has been debated that the reason it was the "Great" depression was because of governments involvement.

auh2o
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67003: I agree with your first statement there, AUH2O. I'm just not sure how we go about accomplishing it short of yanking kids away because of the choices of their parents. And then what?

I was being smart about the village quote, but I do beleive that when parents fail their children to such a degree as abuse or neglect, it's our collective responsibility to step in. And while I'm not suer where the line should be to yank a kid out of a home short of abuse or neglect (say, for the parent who refuses to educate his/her kids), I do believe that we have good justification in Scripture to step in as much as we can to help those kids.

As far as the kooky left goes, you are correct that their vocabulary is limited. But so is the kooky right. Crazy knows no political bounds.

About the "Great" Depression, what was so great about it? I think it stunk ;).

Man, those commies really gave socialism a bad name, you know that? ;)

MDC: I think that's neat. I have a hand-plow my grandad made hanging in my shed that I never use, but often look at and think of. He was very handy guy and enjoyed welding and working in the garden. His dad, and grandad, were both blacksmiths, so he got the tinkering bug naturally. He loved to build things.

M-T
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67004:
Is Edith Keeler going to another one of those Great Depression Clark Gable movies again as she and Kirk pass "Floyd's Barber Shop"??
The whole past is flashing before my eyes!
"Bones, Stop!"
mystery vicks man
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67005: I hear what you all are saying, and everyone makes valid points. We didn't get into this mess overnight, and we're not going to get out of it that fast, either, but it has to stop somewhere. The idea of throwing money at the shiftless parents in order to take care of the innocent kids sounds good in theory, but believe me, those parents can make kids faster than we can make money. When a woman comes in to have her sixth or seventh child, and her first requests are for more aid, I have to wonder.

Just for stinkin' meanness one night, I did this little stunt. A woman had just delivered her sixth kid, and told me she was getting her tubes tied the next day. I remarked in all innocence that she had probably made a good decision, because "it's expensive enough to feed and clothe all these kids these days. If you were to have more, when the time comes to put them all in college, it's really going to be hard for you." (hahaha) She looked at me like I had three heads! Clearly, college was not in the plan, and I knew that, I just wanted to see her reaction, and I got it. She looked like a duck looking at thunder!

Granted, college may not be in the cards for everyone, but there is no excuse for not finishing high school. It's free, and it's required before one can do much of anything else. Things have changed. My dad was a successful home builder, and he never finished high school. He was self-educated in the building trade, and he made it work. However, it's a lot harder today. It can still be done, but it's unlikely. So instead of running around town with their pants below the Great Divide, and seeing how much mischief they can get into, kids can stay in school, get their diploma, get a job and put themselves through college, maybe.

Yes, it can be done, because I know people who are doing it. I work occasionally with a young aide who had dropped out of high school, but went back and got her GED, and is now working the night shift and going to nursing school in the daytime. She grabs every quiet moment to study, and is making good grades. It can be done, if there is sufficient motivation. However, as long as the welfare train continues to roll out of Washington, the motivation is scarce and has to come from within the individual.

OK, now you know how I feel about it, if you didn't already. I guess I will just always believe in individuals taking responsibility for their own circumstances, barring illness, age or disability. Some things just are as they are and cannot be changed, but that's the exception. I do not believe that everyone on the welfare rolls is old, sick or disabled.

Be blessed! --Romeena


October 15, 2008 - Msg 67006: hey, y'all~~
been a long time, friends. it's sure good ta see some familiar faces, an' those I don't know sure seem like right nice folks.
got two cents ta toss inta th' adult conversation, if I may, please. ya think it'd work ta bring back th' big work programs what built roads an' national parks an' dams an' such back in th' '30's? got downsides, sure, like any plan, but men would sure be workin' and mebbe our decrepit infrastructure could git fixxed up some.
got a quote, too:
"Five."
~~love, Leon
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67007: oh, an' I'll take one-a them fancy pretzels, too-- sure wouldn't mind gettin' a "do over" fer the last 20 years!
~~love, Leon
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67008: Leon-well bless my soul! As I live and breathe. where have you been? Good to see ya around again. Stop by more often.
AMEN- RO! Daughter is checking out all the possible avenues , talking to profs, etc. With a 4.0 gpa, major in Special Ed. SOMEONE needs to help this kid out. We as parents have been maxed to the limit. But it's going to be ok. My God is an awsome God! Keep praying and looking for miracles.~New Neighbor
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67009: I'm not sure what you meant when you said "hope all this welfare talk ain't keeping you away", MDC. Do you think I'd find that subject offensive or something? Shoot, I'm not that sensitive. I'm right there with all of you in thinking it's a real problem; wanting to help the folks that really need it, and making the people that don't want to work have to get jobs like the rest of us! I, like others, don't know what the solution is.
Sensitive, me?! Boy, that's a nice thing to get started around. If there's anything that upsets me, it's having people say I'm sensitve. Talk about being misunderstood. (tee hee)
We didn't get the dog we wanted from the pound. She was picked up by the rightful owner just before 5:00 today. We're disappointed, but she really belongs to her first family anyway. So, the search continues... 'Course, I can't help but wonder, what took them 10 days to find her at the shelter? Seems like that'd be the first place you'd look. Oh, well, I'm sure there's a reason.
Welcome back to Leon.
- Hazel
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67010:
M-T I think Newt's idea, with regard to orphanages, should be looked at. My favorite part of the Great Depression was the way FDR would appear weekly on the "Ed Sullivan Show" to reassure the citizenry that all would be well. Or, was it the "Jack Paar Show."

Romeena-Another bulls eye.

Leon-Hey there, don't believe we've met. I think a big jobs program would be a lot harder to pull off now. When FDR proposed his "New Deal" programs we didn't have the bloated entitlement pay outs we see today. So, I just don't see how we could pay for it.

Who was that Mystery Vicks Man? We didn't even get a chance to thank him.

auh2o
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67011:
Hazel-You are soo funny!

auh2o
October 15, 2008 - Msg 67012: Ditto - Hazel, you're so quick! I love your wit. Oh, watch for a little package in a few days - a little white box.

My stars, it's Leon! Watch out, folks, or you'll get a sticky sandwich handed to you. Where have you been, for pete's sake? We thought you'd run away from home or something. It's good to see you. About the suggestion to putting folks to work on public projects - that was the Works Progress Administration, or WPA, that was instituted right after the Depression, to get paychecks in people's hands. And it worked. It let men work with dignity and bring home a check they had earned, which was important to them in those days. Most of the unemployed had never been in that situation before, they had been hard-working breadwinners until the depression hit.

My grandfather was one of them. He was a brick mason, and took pride in supporting his family. Eventually he literally took to hopping freight trains to travel to where he had heard there might be a job. When he found one, he worked and sent money home. He got his garden in the ground, and off he went, leaving my grandma and the kids to tend the garden and to depend on the produce to stave off starvation.

Lots of expressions came out of those days. "Riding the rods" literally meant jumping onto the undercarriage of a freight car and riding by clinging to the support rods beneath the car. Yes, men fell off and were killed. It wasn't always possible to get into a car, and sometimes if you did, the car would be locked from the outside and you couldn't get out, so men rode beneath. Desperation.

Another was "Write when you find work!" It became something of a joke, but started out seriously, because it was usually the last thing a wife said to her husband when he left to try to find a job. I don't personally remember much of this, because I was born in '39, but my parents remembered it clearly, and often told stories around the dinner table.

The things accomplished by the WPA can be seen all over the country. They built dams, bridges, and public buildings everywhere. In San Antonio, where I grew up, you can see their projects all over town. Brackenridge Park is beautiful, thanks to the WPA. They built retaining walls, stone archway bridges over the river, pavilions, picnic tables, restroom buildings and concession buildings. They built a lot of the walls and enclosures at the zoo. It was all built of native stone and mortar, and here and there you can still see plaques built into the walls - "A project of the WPA" and the year. They built more than buildings, though. They also rebuilt people's self-respect.

I'm not at all sure it would work as well today, because it's hard to rebuild something that never existed in the first place. What we have now is a generation of entitled, dependent-and-proud-of-it people. We have bred the self-respect out of them over the last three or four generations, and now we're reaping the reward. The WPA paid people to work, and they were grateful. Welfare pays people not to work, and they expect it. Try to pull that nipple out of their mouth and they are not going to thank you for it.

Well, enough of that. Perhaps I should go back to the blog. I have trouble separating this porch from the blog sometimes, and for that, I apologize. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
October 16, 2008 - Msg 67013: hey again~~
before my time but I am a casual student of that era, through the War Years and on to the end of the Golden Age of Radio. there was a mindset that might take modern society hitting rock bottom to appreciate.
Victory Gardens and ration books, saving cooking grease (then for ammo, now for fuel!), paper and scrap metal drives...
"Is this trip really necessary?"
"Any Bonds Today?!"
the sense of basic decency and morality we find in our beloved TAGS was born out of that era.
I've seen the WPA plaques in a few places, most memorable at Franklin Canyon Resevoir in the hills above BelAir (L.A.), aka Meyer's Lake, where a few Tagstersand I picnic'd and lived the dream for a while... **snif**
I imagine there would be Union and/or ACLU resistance to a new WPA-- didn't they put the kaibosh on prison furniture manufacture? gangs in prisons and on the streets is working out so much better, of course, than busy hands and minds might.
mebbe I ought find that blog place to have this tizzy fit.
~~love, Leon
P.S.: much appreciate the "welcome back" I do feel like this ol' Porch is home an' I am glad to be back among ya.
October 16, 2008 - Msg 67014: Good Thursday morning porch.

Hello to Leon, nice to meet you.

Cool this am on my end of the porch, supposed to be a 60% chance of rain this evening. We desperately need the rain around here.

Breakfast menu will be: french toast with assorted toppings, sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs. coffee, tea, juice to drink.

better get to work.

Prayers and blessings to all today.

Big Maude
October 16, 2008 - Msg 67015: Thank you MDC, for that beautiful suggestion (about Karen). You brought tears to my eyes (in a good way). Thank you also for the encouragment and prayers concerning the drug rehab. Actually I attended a meeting last night about an organization called Ring Of Champions, that is a nation-wide mentoring program for kids who are incarcerated or in rehab. They are starting a group in our area just to minister to the kids at the rehab that I am involved with and I am very happy about it. It has a good reputation for greatly decreasing the rate of recidivism, which normally is around 80+% because most of these kids go right back to the same environment, as we have talked about. It seems the "answer" to some of the problems we have been talking about is for responsible, God-fearing folks to become involved in the life of a child while there is still time to make a difference (and it does for many). I would encourage any of you who are interested to go to the Ring Of Champions website to see if there is a group in your area to become involved with. You can make a lasting difference in the life of a young person headed down the wrong path. Remember the story of the sand dollar I shared awhile back?..."It matters to this one..."...so in answer of your question, Me-They ("...short of yanking kids away....And then what?"), maybe the answer is for those of us who have something to teach and to give, to become personally involved with those kids right where they are...just a thought? The government should be the last option for help as long as The Church is in the world. Of course, that would mean much sacrifice and most of us (myself included), aren't ready for it. You are right, M-T, when you say that the Scriptures teach that "WE" should help the children, but I believe that "we" should be each of us on an individual basis and collectively as Christ's church....just a thought.

Ro, what a great story about your grandfather. The WPA was really something..I didn't know about Brackenridge park, wow.

Leon, thanks for the history...I am already asking myself "Is this trip really necessary?".

Better get Erin up and going...

Boo